Association study between the dopamine D4 receptor gene and schizophrenia.

Abstract

The dopamine D4 receptor is of major interest in schizophrenia research due to its high affinity for the atypical neuroleptic clozapine and a high degree of variability in the receptor gene (DRD4). Although several genetic linkage analyses performed on schizophrenia multiplex families from different regions of the world have either excluded or failed to prove that DRD4 is a major genetic factor for the development of schizophrenia, analyses for moderate predisposing effects are still of significant interest. We performed a study examining differences in allele frequencies of 4 different DRD4 polymorphisms in schizophrenia patients and age, sex, and ethnic origin matched controls. None of these 4 polymorphisms showed evidence for genetic association with schizophrenia, although a trend towards excess of the allele with 7 repeats in the (48)n bp exon III polymorphism was observed. Complexities in the DRD4 genetic investigation and further analytic approaches are discussed.

• Authors: A Petronis, F Macciardi, A Athanassiades, A D Paterson, M Verga, H Y Meltzer, P Cola, J A Buchanan, H H Van Tol, J L Kennedy
• Journal: American journal of medical genetics (Am J Med Genet) Vol. 60 Issue 5 Pg. 452-5 (Oct 09 1995) ISSN: 0148-7299 [Print] United States
• PMID: 8546161 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S., Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• DRD4 protein, human
• Receptors, Dopamine D2
• Receptors, Dopamine D4

Topics

• Female
• Genetic Linkage
• Humans
• Male
• Polymorphism, Genetic
• Receptors, Dopamine D2 (genetics, metabolism)
• Receptors, Dopamine D4
• Schizophrenia (genetics, metabolism)